Cash for parenting
Tax credits and other family benefits - make sure you're getting all that you're entitled to.
Child Tax credit
What is it? Help for families with at least one child, paid either on a monthly or weekly basis.
What's it worth? Means-tested, so much depends on your circumstances.
How do I qualify? You must be 16 or over. You and/or your partner's income must not exceed £58,175 or £66,350 if you have just one child under the age of one.
Working Tax Credit
What is it? Help for people in work who are also bringing up kids.
What's it worth? Calculated according to your individual circumstances, and also whether you use registered childcare in order to work (see Childcare Element below)
How do I qualify? You are 16 or over. You and your partner have one or more children under 16 living with you. You or your partner works a minimum of 16 hours a week. Your savings don't exceed £8,000. (Savings over £3,000 may affect the amount you receive)
Childcare Element
What is it? An addition to the Working Tax Credit, intended as a contribution towards the cost of any registered childcare (i.e. childminders or nurseries that are registered with the local authority).
What's it worth? Up to 70% of your childcare cost, capped at 70% of £175 per week for one child and 80% of £300 per week for two or more kids.
How do I qualify? For the full rate, you and your partner must have a combined income that does not exceed £17,000.
Income Support
What is it? A benefit payment made up of personal allowances, premiums and payments to cover certain housing costs.
What's it worth? Lone parents aged 16-17 receive £35.65 a week, or £46.85 depending on your circumstances. If you're aged 18 and over, you receive £59.15.
How do I qualify? You must be aged between 16 and 59, on a low income and not in full-time work (working on average less than 16 hours a week). You also cannot have savings of £16,000 or more.
Child Trust Fund
What is it? A long-term savings fund designed by the Government to ensure that children have a tax-free lump sum locked away until their 18th birthday.
What's it worth? Initially you will receive £250 on behalf of your child. For 2006/07, children in families receiving Child Tax Credit with a household income not greater than £14,155 will receive an extra payment. The Government will also make a further contribution when your child is seven (see the CTF website for more details), with children in lower income families receiving an additional £250. A maximum of £1,200 each year can be saved in the account by parents, family or friends
How do I qualify? Children born on or after 6 April 2005 will receive their £250 voucher shortly after Child Benefit has been claimed and starts being paid.
New Deal
What is it? A voluntary programme specifically designed to help single parents get into work.
What's it worth? You will get help towards childcare costs, be offered the chance to work in the voluntary sector for six months, or receive free full-time education and training for up to a year.
How do I qualify? If you're bringing up children as a lone parent, your youngest child is under 16 years-old and you're not working, or you're working less than 16 hours a week.
Sure Start Maternity Grants (the Social Fund)
What is it? This grant will help towards the costs of a new baby if you're on a low income. It comes from the Social Fund and you don't have to repay it.
What's it worth? A one-off payment of £500.
How do I qualify? You or your partner must be receiving income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, or Child Tax Credit. You can claim your payment any time from 11 weeks before the baby is due to up to three months after the baby is born.
Community Care Grants (the Social Fund)
What is it? Financial help to live independently in the community or to ease exceptional pressure on you and your family. It doesn't need to be paid back.
What's it worth? This will depend on your personal circumstances.
How do I qualify? You must be getting Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or are likely to get one of these benefits when you move out of residential or institutional accommodation.
Budgeting Loans (the Social Fund)
What is it? Budgeting loans are interest-free and intended to help pay for important costs (e.g. furniture, household equipment, clothing, footwear, and to help you look for or start work).
What's it worth? You can apply to borrow £100 up to £1,500 in total.
How do I qualify? To be eligible you or your partner must have been getting Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 26 weeks.
Crisis Loans (the Social Fund)
What is it? Crisis loans are interest-free loans you have to pay pack. You may be entitled to one if there's a serious risk to the health and safety of you or your family following an emergency or disaster.
What's it worth? This depends on your personal circumstances.
How do I qualify? You don't need to be getting any benefits, but you must be over the age of 16.
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